Who Will Win – Mind or Machine?

With the rapid advancement of technology around the globe, a common prediction that we have all come across somewhere or the other is that machines will take over human lives. Technology has already infiltrated our day to day lives. When was the last time you memorized all the contact details of your close ones? We don’t do that anymore! However, these days it is not just these minor things but far bigger actions are being carried about by machines due to the development in Artificial Intelligence. AI gives robots the power to “think” and it is being observed that they are more advanced than humans in several scenarios.

Recently, a robot named Libratus, created by a professor of computer science and his Ph.D. student managed to defeat four poker world champions in the 2017 Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, a feat that was previously unheard of. Around the world, experts are being challenged and proved incompetent by bots. So has the time for robots really arrived? Or do we humans still have a chance against them? Let us look into various professional sectors to analyze.

The World of Numbers – Business

You might have spent years studying and working on a degree, but guess what? Robots are still going to replace you in the workplace. Big brands like Amazon invest huge amounts of money on robots as they provide much more efficient and speedy results compared to a human workforce.

The survey states that globally around one-fifth of the total workforce could end up being unemployed by the year 2030. Apart from manual works like serving and machine operating, creative jobs are also at a risk. Google’s new AI bot named Duplex has been built to carry out conversations in a sophisticated fashion as well as make bookings and appointments. Moreover, a robot program named Heliograf is responsible for writing around 850 articles covering the US Elections 2016 for The Washington Post.

Although a matter of great concern, technological empires like Facebook, Google and others are of the opinion that robots can possibly take over only 50% of all human jobs in the next century or so. Robots would need to be managed by humans and they are not suitable for work environments where human interaction is essential like the medical industry.

However, according to the World Economic Forum, robots will increase the number of jobs and open up new avenues. Moreover, governments have already started creating plans to absorb the workforce if such a situation ever arises. 

Please check this interesting infographic by Betway on this matter.

Emotions and Relationships

You might be thinking this is the one place where AI cannot control you. Well, if you are someone who uses dating apps like Tinder, Grindr and more then AI is basically picking probable mates for you with the data given. These complex algorithms might even be able to match people based on sexual compatibility by 2025.

What’s even more interesting is that a survey conducted by Havas states that from around 32 countries, 12000 people have claimed to be open to relationships with robots. They feel that there is a strong chance of them falling in love with robots a. Mindboggling, isn’t it?

If you think this is impossible, well here’s some news for you. The sex technology industry is estimated to be worth $30 billion, with 30% increase per year. It means that people everywhere are investing more into robotic sex dolls and teledildonics instead of actual human connection.

The Health Factor

Move over step count alerts and calorie markers. Scientists are working to build cyborg physicians and surgeons to bring perfect accuracy and detailing into medical care. With nanotechnology already becoming a major part of mainstream treatments, it is time for further inclusion of AI technology into healthcare. We already have projects like an AI that can identify heart attacks and strokes faster and more correctly than humans, AI that can spot cancer risks in patients and much more. Although it might seem risky, relying on robots for surgical procedures is probably better than humans who are more susceptible to making mistakes due to wrong judgment and exhaustion. However, for successful medical treatment, humans need to work alongside robots for a more comprehensive and detailed work.

The Environment Question

Climate change and pollution problems are at an all time high and AI bots have been built to counter the issues that humans cannot tackle as effectively as possible. Examples of some of these bots are – Australia’s GrowBot which plants seeds multiple times faster and more accurately than humans and is said to guarantee healthy plant growth, the RangerBot which kills one of the biggest threats to the Great Barrier Reef namely the crown-of-thorns starfish and the Latro, the spider bot that cleans up water bodies by demolishing nuclear waste. These protect humans while being more efficient and cost saving.

However, technical issues may cause more harm than good and since most robots are non-biodegradable they are invariably adding to the pollution.

Robots in Sports

Although robots cannot replace human athletes or coaches completely, yet we have machines called BotBoxers that assist boxers to train better. It identifies the boxer’s posture and gives suggestions to improve. Moreover, it never tires. Also, we cannot forget the yearly RoboCup tournament where robots play football. Although research is still ongoing, the aim is to form a bot team that can defeat the World Cup winners by 2050. Time to change favorites?

Food Industry

From apps managing food orders and deliveries, plans are being made to start deliveries by drones! Already tested in Ireland, it is said to not only prevent road accidents of delivery boys but also reduces the waiting time significantly. AI is slowly taking over serving jobs and has the potential to cover 87% of all jobs in this field. It is particularly useful for businessmen who want to maximize profits and tackle shortage of labour. Japanese corporations are using bot animal structures to scare crop threats and also bots to help out in the manual tasks in farms.

Travel Industry

Gone are the days when you had to carry your luggage around or check-in in airports. TravelMate is a bot suitcase that follows the owner around using collision identifying technology. There are other services like SITA’s bots Leo and Kate who check-in people’s luggage for them, hotel service robots like Connie who can answer customer queries at the Hilton hotels and Dash who is in charge of speedy room service. Although these advancements are praiseworthy, customer reviews suggest that apart from tasks like handling luggage and room service, human communication is needed for better service and experience.

So The Winner Is…

Well, we cannot deny that robots are far more efficient and accurate than humans can ever be. Yet, it is our emotions and quintessential traits that make us the winner. Robots cannot function effectively unless we are there to team up with them. Only a collaborative exercise can help achieve the best work. But that is only my opinion. Who do you think is the real winner?

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